In front of a crowd measured at 1654, the KC Wizards provided the Springfield area with another fine night of soccer. The annual event, now in it’s sixth year, regularly draws a broad spectrum of soccer fans and tonight was no different. The Wizards established the pecking order early when they punished a pair of defensive breakdowns, scoring in the 3rd and 10th minutes. Both came from directly in front of the net and handcuffed the goalkeeper. The Bears did not back down nor give up and the crowd was shown some of the possibilities that the Fall season might bring.
According to the Box Score, Missouri State vs KC Wizards (I was on the opposite end of the pitch), the goal was scored in the 65th minute by Omar Shoucair when he was able to break in on the keeper and maintain possession as the keeper came out to challenge. Omar got the ball from a cross from Wil Ziegahn. We got to see some familiar faces as seniors Justin Douglass, Kyle Hopson and Brian Pasierb played some significant minutes in their final games wearing the maroon and white. Junior Andy Cooper and freshman Nick Dryden are coming together in the central backfield and newcomer Johannes Demarzi appears to be a fine addition at defensive midfielder. Sophomore Justin Alford (pictured above in white) made quite an impact in the game as well as his speed and quickness became a reliable route for attacking the KC defense. And we can’t say enough about goalkeeper Lance Parker, who saved several certain goals with his acrobatics.
Halftime saw the Springfield SC U16 boys team get some well deserved recognition from the crowd for their win on Sunday in the State Cup. State Champions. Quite a ring to it. Another significant step was taken this evening as Springfield provided the entire referee pool with National Ref Andy Ellsworth handling the duties in the center while Andy Wilkinson, Trey Smith and Chris Shuler completed the team. The foundation is being laid. And of course one of the pioneers, home boy Jack Jewsbury was in town with his KC Wizards teammates. I’ll have an article tomorrow along with an interview with Jack, a young man who is becoming quite the ambassador for the game. And you all welcomed Brian Bounds back to the familiar confines of the MSU Campus I hope!
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